Wings' Babcock had faith in Tigers

DETROIT — Henrik Zetterberg had no doubt Max Scherzer was going to get out of his basesloaded jam with no outs in the eighth inning Tuesday at Comerica Park.

No doubt.

“Absolutely, I was confident,” said Zetterberg, who attended the game along with Jimmy Howard.

Scherzer fanned the next two batters he faced and got the other to fly out to centerfield to end the threat.

“It’s way more nerve wracking to watch them play than to coach us, I can tell you that,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “I thought it was awesome bringing (Scherzer) off the bench because if you don’t win Game 4 forget about saving a starter for Game 5 then you have (Justin) Verlander. To me it was exciting stuff.”

The Tigers’ 8-6 win forced a Game 5 against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.

“Attitude is contagious, work ethic is contagious, hitting’s contagious, scoring is contagious and once they got a couple of hits the guys got confidence, it’s exactly the same thing in our game,” Babcock said. “Then you get feeling it, you get some swagger back and you get up there and the ball looks big again. That’s what I watch when I’m watching the game. It’s the same thing, it’s a bunch of guys competing.

“Last year in the playoffs when Howie had Corey Perry’s number,” Babcock continued. “It’s not like Corey Perry didn’t have 100 chances, Howie had him. It’s like a pitcher that’s got you.”

Howard knows all too well what it’s like dealing with pressure packed moments as the Wings fell to Chicago in overtime of Game 7 a season ago.

“I wasn’t nervous,” Howard said of last year’s game with the Blackhawks. “Just one of those things you go out there and you play. You play hard and leave it all out there on the ice. For me, being in Game 7s and in overtimes, I just don’t get nervous. It’s a lot tougher to watch, just being in the stands and sitting in the stands I think it’s more nerve wracking watching than it is playing.”

Tootoo cleared to return; Samuelsson back in lineup

Forward Jordin Tootoo said he’s been cleared from a shoulder injury he suffered in the preseason.

“Cleared to play, as far as medically wise, I feel I’m in the right state to get back at ‘er,” Tootoo said. “Right now it’s just about maintaining my strength and making sure every day I come to be ready, both mentally and physically.”

Tootoo, who has been out since Sept. 19 after suffering a bruised bone in his shoulder, will have an uphill battle to get in the lineup with the number of forwards in the Wings locker room.

“Like I said before, my job is to play hockey when I’m called upon,” Tootoo said. “For me it’s one day at a time. Just enjoying every bit of it. This is the greatest league to be in and when you’re around the greatest hockey players in the world, life is good. I’m just glad to be part of this whole organization and for me I’m ready to go when called upon.”

Babcock said Mikael Samuelsson will return to the lineup against Phoenix after sitting out Saturday’s loss at Boston. Tomas Tatar will be a healthy scratch.

Patrick Eaves (sprained MCL and ankle) skated roughly half the practice before leaving. He’s been out since Sept. 19 after an on-ice collision.

Quote of the day

Babcock also is a big fan of Tigers manager Jim Leyland.

“What I like is he does what’s right,” Babcock said. “He doesn’t let the fans coach the team, he doesn’t let the media coach the team, he does what he’s supposed to do. To me that’s what it’s all about. You make these decisions based on experience and you go with your gut and your gut is based on a track record of being steady on the rudder and winning. You don’t win over and over again, you don’t become a serial winner like he is by accident so you do the right things and good things happen.”

Send comments to chuck.pleiness@macombdaily.com and visit his blog at redwingsfront.wordpress.com.